Matt Damon slams Oscar as "insane" for lack of diversity

MATT Damon has branded the lack of diversity at this year's Oscars "shameful and embarrassing".

The 45-year-old actor - who is up for Best Actor at next month's ceremony for his role in 'The Martian' - thinks it is "insane" that all of the acting nominees at the Academy Awards are white, just like in 2015.

He said: "It was shameful and embarrassing that there were two years in a row without a single actor of colour nominated. That's insane."

Following the outcry - which has seen the likes of Will Smith, his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith and Spike Lee vow not to attend - the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) have announced a number of changes next year and Matt welcomes the announcement from Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs.

He told Bustle: "I'm glad that Cheryl Boone Isaacs took some action. It's a strong first step. That is all it is, it's a first step.

"This is gonna be a very long road. But I'm glad there's at least a first step."

On Friday, the Academy president unveiled the organisation's plans for the future, which included a pledge to double the amount of female and minority members by 2020.

Cheryl said in a statement: "The Academy is going to lead and not wait for the industry to catch up. These new measures regarding governance and voting will have an immediate impact and begin the process of significantly changing our membership composition."

Another measure will see the Academy add three new seats to its board of governors, with the hope that these additions will help diversity the leadership of the organisation.